First of all I would like to congratulate Dirk for the quality of this site and the information which is provided.
I am the proud owner -since 1994- of a Contax S2, silver, which has performed faultlessly ever since. It only gave me two problems: the first of them being the black flat spring plate which holds the flash in place in the hot shoe falling (nothing that a drop of contact glue would not solve -in fact it was assembled this way-) and the batteries (if using LR44s) not lasting at all in very cold weather.
But I am very satisfied about the reliability of the camera, the build quality, the feeling and the images it delivers.
But wanting to move on -and of course not wanting to put my trusty S2 to retirement, only for a while as a back-up body-, I had been taking a look at the available rivals:
1.- The Contax Aria. Very nice camera, looks good, small and well proportioned, with a vast array of exposure metering and modes -very important- (and I could continue using the superb 50mm f1.4 Planar). But I am unsure about its reliability (being totally battery-dependent) and its ruggedness (a plastic back might break before a metal one). Maybe I should test one
2.- The Leica R8. The viewfinder info is just superb, and ergonomics and exposure modes, too. The shutter speed dial and release are located in the same position as in my first camera (the old faithful Praktica BX20), but it's a bit too heavy and, again, battery dependent. I tested a demo item in a Show and it certainly speeds up taking photos.
3.- The Leica R6.2. This one would have been the winner -for me- but some thing or another always put me off. It's a no longer produced -but still supported- SLR, but what worries me are the reliability problems that Peter mentioned some time ago. Has anyone experienced or heard something about them?
Ergonomics and feeling are not as good as on the R8 or Aria, but it can be used regardless of conditions. And has different metering modes which my S2 doesn't have.
I would be very grateful if somebody could give me some advice, hence the Leica (but then a secondhand R6) was also considered before buying the S2 but the S2 won the battle.
I am the proud owner -since 1994- of a Contax S2, silver, which has performed faultlessly ever since. It only gave me two problems: the first of them being the black flat spring plate which holds the flash in place in the hot shoe falling (nothing that a drop of contact glue would not solve -in fact it was assembled this way-) and the batteries (if using LR44s) not lasting at all in very cold weather.
But I am very satisfied about the reliability of the camera, the build quality, the feeling and the images it delivers.
But wanting to move on -and of course not wanting to put my trusty S2 to retirement, only for a while as a back-up body-, I had been taking a look at the available rivals:
1.- The Contax Aria. Very nice camera, looks good, small and well proportioned, with a vast array of exposure metering and modes -very important- (and I could continue using the superb 50mm f1.4 Planar). But I am unsure about its reliability (being totally battery-dependent) and its ruggedness (a plastic back might break before a metal one). Maybe I should test one
2.- The Leica R8. The viewfinder info is just superb, and ergonomics and exposure modes, too. The shutter speed dial and release are located in the same position as in my first camera (the old faithful Praktica BX20), but it's a bit too heavy and, again, battery dependent. I tested a demo item in a Show and it certainly speeds up taking photos.
3.- The Leica R6.2. This one would have been the winner -for me- but some thing or another always put me off. It's a no longer produced -but still supported- SLR, but what worries me are the reliability problems that Peter mentioned some time ago. Has anyone experienced or heard something about them?
Ergonomics and feeling are not as good as on the R8 or Aria, but it can be used regardless of conditions. And has different metering modes which my S2 doesn't have.
I would be very grateful if somebody could give me some advice, hence the Leica (but then a secondhand R6) was also considered before buying the S2 but the S2 won the battle.